Lather producing machine



Nov. 10, 1942. w, BOERGER 2,301,851

LATHER PRODUCING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventmr .IMAB merger Flt'tclr'negs J, w. BOERGER LATHER PRODUCING MACHINE Nov. 10, 1942.

Filed Dec. 9, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Flttclrnaga Patented Nov. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LATHER PRODUCING MACHINE Julius W. Boerger, Racine, Wis., assignor to Allover Manufacturing Company, Racine, Wis.

Application December 9, 1940, Serial No. 369,298

13 Claims.

vide an exceedingly simple, compact and efiicient I machine of the foregoing type, in which all of the parts are readily accessible for cleaning or repair.

Incidental to the foregoing, a more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel type of agitator for more efficiently converting liquid soap into lather, and at the same time serving to control the supply of liquid from the reservoir to the mixing chamber to obtain constant, predetermined delivery of lather.

Another object is to provide a one-piece casing, having a liquid reservoir in its upper portion, and completely housing the motor, agitator,

- heating element and electric switch in its lower compartment.

A still further object resides in the provision of a quick, detachable delivery spout to permit ready access to the mixing chamber and agitator for cleaning,

With the above and other objects in View,

which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein disclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated one complete example of the physical embodi ment of the present invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a machine incorporating the present invention, the same being taken on line II of Figure 6;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view with a portion of the lower closure plates broken away;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the casing, illustrating the valve and switch-actuating mechanism, the cover of the casing being removed; V

Figure 4 is a detail, fragmentary section, illustrating the reservoir valve in open position;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

, Figure 6 is a front elevation;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the agitator;

Figure 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figures 9 and 10 are end elevational views of modified forms of agitators.

Referring more particularl to the accompanying drawings, the numeral I designates a casing preferably of rectangular shape, and molded in one piece from plastic or other composition material, Which'is not subject to rust or corrosion, and can be easily cleaned.

Intermediate its top and bottom, the casing I is provided with a transverse partition 2, which forms a reservoir 3 in the upper portion of the casing for the reception of liquid soap. A cover t, provided with a handle 5, is seated upon the top of the casing to form a closure for the reservoir, the cover being held against lateral shifting by depending nibs ii engaging the inner corner of the reservoir.

Depending from the partition 2, intermediate the front and rear walls of the casing, is a wall I, to which an electric motor 8 is securely fastened by threaded studs 9, carried by the motor casing, and nuts I6, which allow the motor to be drawn tightly against a sealing disc II disposed between the motor and wall I,

Extending forwardly from the wall I is a boss I2, provided with a cylindrical bore constituting a mixing chamber I3. The outer end of the bore is enlarged to receive a nipple It provided at its outer end with a protruding delivery spout I5, through which lather is discharged, as will be hereinafter explained.

The wall I has an annular opening I6 communicating with the mixing chamber I3, for reception of a bearing I7 provided on the forward end of the motor 8 for the armature shaft I8, which extends into the mixing chamber. A pas sage I9 formed'in the partition 2 provides communication between the soap reservoir 3 and the rear end of the mixing chamber I3. The passage is is controlled by a valve 20, the actuation of which will be later explained.

Secured upon the armature shaft I8 is a cylin drical agitator 2i, the rear end of which terminates in a conical bevel 22, while its remaining portion is slightly tapered toward its forward end, as best shown in Figures 1 and 7. The tapered, peripheral surface of the agitator has formed thereon longitudinal ribs or serrations 23, which, upon high speed rotation of the agitator, serve to convert liquid soap delivered to the mixing chamber I3 into lather that is discharged through the delivery spout I5. The manner in which the agitator performs its function will be described later in detail.

The forward end of the agitator is provided with an air inlet duct 25 that communicates with a plurality of radial ports 26, through which air entering the inlet duct 25 is discharged at the periphery of the agitator through centrifugal action. The duct 25 is alined with an orifice 27 formed in the end of the nipple it. Transverse notches 28 are provided on the periphery of the agitator to facilitate withdrawal from the mixing chamber for cleaning purposes.

If desired, the bottom compartment of the casing may be closed by a plate 2%! having a vertical flange 39, that forms a closure for an opening 3! provided in the rear of the casing, to facilitate insertion and removal of the motor.

AS best shown in Figures 3 and 4, the valve 29, that controls the communicating passage it! between the reservoir 3 and chamber i3, is normally held upon its seat by a V-shaped spring 32, the legs of which are fastened to the partition 2 by screws 33.

To actuate the valve Eda yoke 3 is provided, which straddles the front wall of the casing l, and is guided in its vertical movement in a groove 35, formed in the front face of the casing. A shouldered pin 36 threaded in the front wall of the casing for adjustment, and having its upper end projecting through the top of the yoke, determines the downward movement of the same. The outer arm of the yoke 3:3 is provided with a manipulating thumbpiece 3?, While the lower end of the inner arm terminates in a foot 38 alined with and extending over an arm 39 carried by the valve 21"}. It will be apparent that upon depression of the yoke 34, the foot Bil will engage the arm 39 to rock the valve 29 on its peripheral edge and open the passage is to permit liquid soap to flow into the mixing chamber, operation of the valve being regulated through vertical adjustment of the shouldered pin 33.

' Inasmuch as it is desirable to simultaneously actuate the agitator 2*! upon opening of the vaive 7 2b, a tiltable mercury bulbcircuit closer ii] for controlling the motor circuit is pivotally connected to a bracket it secured to the bottom of the partition '2 within the lower compartment of w the casing, as best shown in Figure 5.

An'electric heating element 32, secured to the bottom of the partition 2 by a clip d3, as best shownin Figure 2, serves to heat the contents of the reservoir, which materially aids in producing lather.

To actuate the circuit closer it, the front wall of the casing l within the reservoir is provided with a vertical bored boss M, in which a plunger '55 is slidably mounted to engage a tail (l6 carried by the circuit closer. A spring ll, secured to the bracket ll, serves to normally hold the circuit closer 49 in its open position.

Mounted above the plunger d is a spring 88 that supports a pin 49 projecting above the upper end of the boss id. To depress the pin 49 and, consequent1y, the plunger t5, an arm 58 is secured to the foot'33 of the yoke 34, the upper end of the arm terminating in a lateral finger 51 that extends over and engages the pin 49. Consequently, when the yoke is depressed in the manner heretofore explained, the plunger 45 is actuated through the pin 89 and the spring 48 to tilt the circuit closer 0 to the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5, and close the motor circuit, it being understood that the heater is continuously energized independently of the motor circuit.

It might be explained that the spring 48 is normally extended, and merely serves as a yieldable connection between the pin 49 and plunger 45 when the circuit closer reaches its tilted position.

In the operation of the invention, to produce lather from liquid soap contained in the reservoir 3, it is merely necessary for the operator to place his thumb on the thumbpiece 37 carried by the yoke, which action naturally positions the palm of the hand under the delivery spout IS. The yoke is then depressed by the thumb, which opens the valve 20, and at the same time actuates the circuit closer 40 to operate the motor 8 and heating element 42.

Upon opening the valve 29, liquid soap is de livered to the rear portion of the mixing chamber i3 through the passage 19, where it engages the beveled end 22 of the agitator 2| as the same is rotated at an exceedingly high rate of speed by the motor. Upon rotation of the agitator, air is drawn through the opening 2! in the nipple it, and enters the duct 22 in the forward end of the agitator, from which it is expelled through the radial ports 26 and, following the lines of least resistance, is discharged through the spout i5. Naturally, this circulation of air, which takes place in the forward end of the mixing chamber, creates a slightly reduced pressure within the rear end of the mixing chamber to insure a normal, constant flow of liquid into the mixing chamber. Such action also has the advantage of preventing any back pressure against the duct Hi to retard the supply of liquid soap to the mixing chamber, as frequently occurs in other machines of the present type now on the market.

As the liquid soap delivered to the mixing chamber i3 reaches the inner edge of the tapered 40 periphery of the agitator, the serrations or longi- :tudinal ribs 23, operating in conjunction with the cylindrical .bore of the mixing chamber, pick -up the liquid and tend to roll and squeeze the same against the wall of the mixing chamber, to {45} break up the particles and convert the liquid into lather, which, through discharge of air from the forward end of the mixing chamber, are gradually drawn forwardly,

Because of the taper of the agitator toward its forward end, as the lather travels forwardly, the soap particles are allowed further separation, and, naturally, when coming into contact with the circulated air, a certain amount of aeration occurs to finally produce and deliver lather of the desired consistency.

In addition to the foregoing, it is also contemplated that desirable results can be obtained with a cylindrical agitator .21 having a smooth, peripheral surface in close relation to the wall of the mixing chamber, which modification is illustrated in Figure 9, and although a smooth surface would not agitate the lather to the same extent as a serrated surface, the same ultimate results can be accomplished through elongation of the agitator.

In Figure 10, another modified form of agitator 22 is illustrated, in which a peripheral surface of the agitator is provided with elongated interruptions, or flattened faces 60. Consequently, it is intended that reference in the claims to an agitator having a peripheral, interrupted surface shall include any form of agitator in which the outer surface is provided with annular interruptions and intermediate portions in close proximityto the wall of the mixing chamber. i I From the foregoing explanation'considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that a comparatively simple, inexpensive, and compact machine of attractive appearance has been devised for effectively converting liquid soap into lather. of, the desired and uniform consistency for delivery in predetermined quantity. I

It will also be appreciated that all of the parts are readily accessible for'either cleaning .or re.-

pair, without the necessity of dismantling the entire machine. The foregoing is highly tical machine of the present type, in that both liquidsoap and lather have a strong tendency to congeal and accumulate'to obstruct passages and operation of working parts, making frequent cleaning necessary.

I claim: r

l. A lather producing machine comprising, a one-piece: casing having upper andlowe'r compartments, the upper compartment serving as a liquid reservoir, a boss constituting a mixing chamber formed in the interior of the lower compartment and havingvalved communication with said reservoir and opening out one side wall of the casing, an agitator in said mixing chamber, and a motor housed entirely within the lower essential to a praccompartment at one side of the boss and operatively connected with said agitator.

2. In a lather producing machine including a casing having a liquid reservoir therein, an elongated housing in said casing at one side of the reservoir constituting a substantially cylindrical mixing chamber provided with a delivery outlet and having communication at its rear end with said reservoir, and an elongated agitator positioned wholly within said chamber and rotatably mounted therein and having its peripheral surface in close relation to the wall of said chamber throughout its entire length to cause the lather material to travel between the wall of said mixing chamber and the peripheral surface of said agitator toward said outlet, and a motor carried by the casing operatively connected to said agitator for rotating the agitator at a relatively high speed.

3. In a lather producing machine including a casing having a liquid reservoir therein, an elongated housing in said casing at one side of the reservoir constituting a substantially cylindrical mixing chamber provided with a delivery outlet and having communication at its rear end with said reservoir, an elongated agitator positioned wholly within said chamber and rotatably mounted therein and having longitudinal peripheral portions in close proximity to the wall of said chamber to cause the lather material to pass between said longitudinal portions of the agitator and the wall of said mixing chamber toward said outlet, and a motor carried by the casing operatively connected to said agitator for rotating the agitator at a high speed.

4. In a lather producing machine including a casing having a liquid reservoir therein, an elongated housing in said casing at one side of the reservoir constituting a substantially cylindrical mixing chamber provided with a delivery outlet and having communication at its rear end with said reservoir, an elongated agitator positioned wholly within said chamber and rotatably mounted therein and having an interrupted annular surface with intermediate portions of the periphery being disposed in close relation to the wall of said mixing chamber to cause lather material to travel forwardly toward said outlet between the peripheral surface of said agitator andthe wall of said mixing cham ber' toward said outlet, and a motor carried by the casing operatively connected to said agitator for rotating the agitator at a high speed.

5. .In. a lather producing machine including a liquid reservoir, a mixing chamber provided with a delivery outlet at one end and having an inlet communicating with said reservoir adjacent its other end, and a cylindrical agitator positioned in said mixing chamber and extending from one end thereof to the other between said linet and outlet and having its periphery in close relation to the wall of the chamber defining a restricted passageway between said wall and the agitator, said cylindrical agitator being provided with peripheral serrations.

=6. In a lather producing machine including a liquid reservoir, a cylindrical mixing chamber provided with a delivery outlet at one end and having an inlet communication with said reservoir adjacent its other end, and a cylindrical agitator positioned .insaid chamber and extending from one end thereof to the other between said inlet .and outlet and having its periphery in close relation to the wall of the chamber defining a restricted passageway between said wall and the agitator, said cylindrical agitator being provided with longitudinal peripheral grooves.

7. In a lather producing machine including a liquid reservoir, a cylindrical mixing chamber provided with a delivery outlet at one end and having an inlet communication with said reservoir adjacent its other end, and a cylindrical agitator positioned in said chamber and extending from one end thereof to the other between said inlet and outlet and having its periphery in close relation to the wall of the chamber defining a restricted passageway between said wall and the agitator, said cylindrical agitator being provided with peripheral serrations, said agitator being slightly tapered toward its outer end.

8. In a lather producing machine including a liquid reservoir, an elongated mixing chamber having a delivery outlet at its forward end and an inlet communicating adjacent its rear end with said reservoir, an agitator positioned in'said mixing chamber and extending from one end thereof to the other between said inlet and outlet, and means for circulating air through the forward end of said mixing chamber, the forward end of the agitator, and through the outlet to create reduced pressure in the rear end of said mixing chamber.

9. In a lather producing machine including a liquid reservoir, an elongated mixing chamber having a delivery outlet at its forward end and an inlet communicating adjacent its rear end with said reservoir, an agitator positioned in said chamber and extending from one end thereof to the other between said inlet and outlet and having its periphery in close relation to the wall of the chamber defining a restricted passageway between said wall and said agitator, said agitator being provided with means to cause circulation of air through the forward end of said agitator, mixing chamber, and outlet to create reduced pressure in the rear portion of said mixing cham- 10. In a lather producing machine including a liquid reservoir, an elongated mixing chamber having a delivery outlet at its forward end and an inlet adjacent its rear end communicating with said reservoir, an agitator positioned in said mixing chamber and extending from one end thereof to the other between said inlet and outlet having its periphery in close relation to the wall of the chamber defining a restricted passageway between the wall of the chamber and said agitator, and means for introducing "air into the mixing chamber intermediate its ends by the action of said agitator to create reduced pressure in the rear end of said mixing chamber and aerate lather material at the forward end of the mixing chamber.

11. In a lather producing machine including a liquid reservoir, an elongated mixing chamber having a delivery outlet at its forward end and an inlet adjacent its rear end communicating with said reservoir, and an agitator positioned in said mixing chamber and extending from one end thereof to the other between said inlet and outlet and having its periphery in close relation to the wall of the chamber defining a restricted passageway between the wall of the chamber and said agitator, said agitator having an air inlet duct in its outer end communicating with radial discharge ports intermediate its ends to circulate air through the forward end of said mixing chamber and create reduced pressure in the rear end of said mixing chamber.

12. In a lather producing machine including a liquid reservoir, an elongated mixing chamber having a delivery outlet at its forward end and an inlet adjacent its rear end communicating with said reservoir, and a cylindrical agitator positioned in said chamber and extending from one end thereof to the other between said inlet and outlet and having its periphery in close relation to the wall of the chamber defining a restricted passageway between said wall and said agitator, said cylindrical agitator being provided With peripheral serrations, said agitator having an air inlet duct in its outer end communicating 'with radial discharge ports intermediate its ends.

JULIUS W. BOERGER. 

